5 benefits of vitamin C for dogs

Vitamin C lines the shelves of pharmacy aisles and stars in human cold and flu remedies everywhere. Why? Because it’s a crucial nutrient, and humans, like guinea pigs, can’t make their own. But what about vitamin C for dogs? Do our puppy playmates get benefits from supplementation, too? Read on to find out how vitamin C works in dogs, when they might need more, and how to top up safely. 

What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that isn’t stored in the body. Animals use what they need, and the rest is flushed out in the urine. That might sound like a reason to supplement daily, but dogs are ahead of us here. Unlike humans, they produce their own vitamin C in the liver, using glucose as a starting ingredient. It’s an effective system, and for most healthy dogs, it provides all the vitamin C they need.

Dogs also get some vitamin C from food. While much of it is lost during the high-heat processing of commercial diets, it’s often added back in, both as a preservative to protect fats and as a nutrient. Natural foods like carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, blueberries and strawberries also offer a gentle vitamin C boost. Berries, which don’t need cooking, are especially useful since heat can destroy vitamin C. 

Vitamin C for dogs: The benefits

Even though dogs usually make enough vitamin C, stress, illness, injury, surgery, chronic inflammation, or simply ageing can increase how quickly it’s used up. The liver may not always be able to pick up the pace, especially if it’s already under strain, and that’s when supplementation can help.

So what exactly does vitamin C do? Here are five of its most important roles in your pup’s body.

Boosts your dog’s immune system

Vitamin C supports your dog’s immune defences by helping the white blood cells that seek out and destroy bacteria and viruses, while also shielding them from oxidative damage. It also helps keep inflammation in check, which allows the immune system to respond efficiently without overreacting.

Wound healing 

When your dog gets a scrape or surgical incision, vitamin C helps the body repair itself. It’s essential for producing collagen, the main protein that closes and strengthens wounds. It also protects surrounding tissues from oxidative stress and supports new blood vessel formation. The result is that wounds heal faster and new tissue is stronger. 

Collagen formation

In addition to promoting strong elastic skin, collagen is vital for healthy blood vessels, joints, tendons, and ligaments. The body’s architectural framework relies on collagen for strength, flexibility, and blood supply. Recovering from injury and ageing gracefully depend on vitamin C’s role in collagen production. 

Reduces inflammation in dogs

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralises harmful free radicals, the unstable molecules produced during normal metabolism and stress. By keeping oxidative stress low, it can help calm inflammation linked to chronic conditions, the result isn’t a cure, but a steady contribution to overall comfort and resilience.

Joint health    

Healthy joints rely on strong connective tissues supported by sufficient collagen. Vitamin C fuels the production of collagen fibres in cartilage and tendons, which are crucial for joint flexibility and strength. By minimising oxidative damage and inflammatory processes around joints, vitamin C can help improve mobility and comfort, especially in active or ageing dogs. 

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Can vitamin C be harmful for dogs?

Vitamin C is water-soluble, and excess just washes out of the body in the urine within a few hours. This makes overdose unlikely, but too much for too long or a very large dose can still irritate the stomach, increase urine acidity or cause other mild symptoms. 

There are also a few situations when you shouldn’t give vitamin C: 

• Dogs with copper toxicosis or copper storage disease.
• Dogs with a history of kidney or bladder stones.
• Diabetic dogs undergoing urine glucose tests.
• Alongside certain antibiotics (aminoglycosides and erythromycin) or the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine.  

How much vitamin C for dogs?

Because dogs make their own vitamin C, the aim of supplementation isn’t to meet their daily requirement, it’s to top up their levels when their needs are higher. For low-level natural supplementation, small amounts of vitamin C–rich foods like blueberries, raspberries or cooked pumpkin can add variety, fibre and antioxidants to your pup’s bowl. 

For dogs with a sensitive stomach or those that need longer-term support, look for balanced formulas that meet multiple needs, for example: 

• Joint supplements containing vitamin C, e.g. YuMOVE Joint Care Plus Max Strength.
• Skin and coat supplements containing vitamin C, e.g. YuMOVE Skin & Coat Care Itch & Immune Daily Bites
• Multivitamin supplements for dogs 

The takeaway

Vitamin C supports your pup’s immune system, joints, skin, and overall health. Though most dogs make enough on their own, life’s stresses — from illness and surgery to ageing and chronic inflammation — can tip the balance. Supplementing at the right time and in the right amount helps your pup’s body maintain a healthy balance between inflammation and healing. 

For more on balanced nutrition, check out our guide to dog vitamins and supplements.